American Airlines Introduces Mobile Boarding Passes at Select Airports
November 18, 2008
American Airlines customers departing from
select airports can choose to receive their
boarding passes electronically on their mobile
phones or PDAs, saving the time it takes to
print out and present a paper boarding pass at
the airport.
Mobile boarding passes, which use a two dimensional
(2-D) barcode, are being
introduced for passengers departing on
domestic flights from Chicago’s O’Hare
International Airport. On Nov. 17, mobile
boarding passes will be offered as an option
for customers departing on domestic flights
from Los Angeles International (LAX) and John
Wayne Orange County (SNA) airports as well.
The mobile boarding pass program is being
rolled out in partnership with the United States
Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
If successful in trial cities, it could be extended
to additional U.S. airports in the coming months.
To use the mobile boarding pass option – either
with the traditional desktop version of AA.com
or the mobile version – customers must have
an active e-mail address where their boarding
pass may be sent and an Internet-enabled
mobile device where the 2-D barcode can be
received. Additionally, during the introduction
of this new feature, customers may list only
one person in their reservation and must be
traveling on American or American Eagle
nonstop or same-plane direct to a domestic
destination from Chicago, Los Angeles or
Orange County. Domestic destinations include
those within the 50 United States, as well as
the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
The mobile boarding pass process is simple:
When customers check in for their flight using
American’s Web site, AA.com – either the
desktop or mobile versions – they have the
option to receive their boarding passes on their
cell phones or PDAs. If this option is selected,
they will get an e-mail with an Internet link to
their boarding pass. The mobile boarding pass
contains a 2-D barcode that can be scanned
at TSA security checkpoints and at American
Airlines gates. At the airport, customers simply
scan their cell phone or PDA screen when
going through Security (proper identification
must be presented) and when boarding, just
as they would a traditional paper boarding
pass.
Customers wishing to check bags can also
use the new option by scanning the boarding
pass on their cell phone or PDA screen at
American Airlines self-service machines, ticket
counters, or curbside check-in facilities.
Customers who check in online and wish to
print a paper boarding pass are still able to do
so. At the end of the online check-in process
on AA.com, customers can now choose how
they would like to receive their boarding pass
by selecting either “Print” (customers can print
the pass at that time, or use a self-service
check-in machine to print at the airport), “Email
for Print” (boarding pass is emailed and
customers can print at their convenience), or“E-mail for use on Cell Phone or Other Device”
(customers receive an electronic boarding
pass via email on their cell phone or mobile
device, which would then be presented at the
airport).
Holiday Checked Bag Information for Latin America Passengers
November 18, 2008
American Airlines and American Eagle are implementing their customary policy limiting the size and number of checked bags, as well as prohibiting checked boxes to and from certain cities in Latin America, Mexico and the Caribbean. Excess, oversize, and overweight baggage will not be accepted for flights to the destinations covered by the bag embargo. Passengers will be limited to a maximum of two checked bags, with each not exceeding 50 pounds and 62 linear inches. One carry-on bag will be allowed with a maximum weight of 40 pounds and a maximum size of 45 linear inches. In addition, one personal item such as a purse or briefcase is also allowed. Sports equipment, such as golf bags, bikes and sufrboards, may be checked as part of the total checked-bag allowance, although additional charges may apply.
oneworld Passenger Updates
November 3, 2008
Passengers on oneworld member airlines can now sign up to be alerted to the status of their flights by email via oneworld.com.
